GRT is a radio and television broadcaster operating in the autonomous region of Gagauzia, Moldova. The broadcaster’s programming is delivered in the Gagauz language, a Turkic language spoken by the Gagauz people in Moldova, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. It is the only media outlet in the world that broadcasts in this language. In addition to its own programming, the station rebroadcasts content from TRT, the state-owned broadcaster of Turkey.
Media assets
Television: Gagauz TV
Radio: Gagauz Radio
State Media Matrix Typology: State-Controlled (SC)
Ownership and governance
The GRT is a state-controlled body whose activities are governed by a 2016 Broadcast Act adopted by the Popular Assembly of Gagauzia (the region’s parliament). Additionally, GRT is subject to the regulations set forth in the Audiovisual Services Code of the Moldovan Republic.
Therefore, its governance structure is comparable to that of TRM (a management committee chaired by the General Director, with the highest governing body being a Supervisory Council that appoints the General Director). The only distinction is that the Supervisory Council of GRT is appointed by the regional parliament.
Source of funding and budget
At this time, there is no publicly available information regarding the budget of GRT. Local experts and journalists interviewed for this report in April 2024 indicated that the station is primarily financed by funding from the Moldovan government and the local authorities of the Gagauz region. Additionally, the Turkish state media provides regular support.
Editorial independence
There are no legal restrictions on the editorial independence of GRT. However, the appointment procedures of GRT’s governing bodies are subject to abuse by the local government in the Gagauzia region, with the purpose of controlling the editorial agenda of the station. In recent years, the local authorities have increasingly exerted pressure on GRT, which has resulted in a reduction in the station’s editorial autonomy.
Moldova’s Audiovisual Services Code is the primary document that establishes the independence of GRT. It stipulates that the station must operate with full editorial independence. However, in practice, this is not adhered to.
There is no independent assessment or oversight mechanism in place to validate the editorial independence of GRT.
September 2024